Cleansing compound



Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

PATENT FICE.

ROBERT SCHLESS, 0F EMPORIUM, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLEANSING COMPOUND.

No Drawing.

My invention relates to a cleansing compound and is based upon my discovery that what is known as vegetable ivory, ivory nut, or corozo nut in commerce, possesses cleansing properties, whether used alone, or in a mixture or compound.

Vegetable ivory, as known to commerce, is the seed or nut of a palm-like plant which grows in South America and whose fruit is in conglomerate heads, often weighing from twenty five to thirty pounds. Each head comprises thirty to fifty seeds or nuts. The seed contains a clear liquid which later con- (lenses into a paste and then hardens into a white, horny substance which is called vegetable ivory. Chemically, the principal part of vegetable ivory is mannan, and it is non-poisonous, as has been determined by investigations conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Vegetable ivory or ivory nut, or corozo nut is imported into United States and Europe in large quantities and is commonly used for the manufacture of buttons but in this process of button manufacture, a considerable portion of the vegetable ivory is wasted as sawdust or turnings which can be readily ground to a uniform fine powder.

I have discovered that vegetable ivory has cleansing properties and is well adapted for use, either alone, or in mixtures or compounds, as a domestic cleanser. I have found that it does not affect paint, calcimine, and other surface coatings or painted surfaces with which it may come in contact when used as a cleanser.

lVhile I do not limit my discovery to the use of vegetable ivory, ivory nut, or corozo nut when in the form of a fine powder, nevertheless it is preferably ground up into fine powder before being used alone or with other ingredients when provided in the form of a mixture.

Similarly, while I do not limit my discovery to the utilization of the lay-product of sawdust or turnings derived from the manufacture of commercial articles from vegetable ivory, yet when these are utilized, what has heretofore been waste, is rendered valuable and useful as a cleanser.

Application filed August 10, 1925. Serial No. 49,459.

compounds of which vegetable ivory ma constitute an ingredient, the following examples will indicate some of the couu'iounds or mixtures into which it may enter in the production of a cleanser.

Example No. i G-round vegetable ivory, *alcium carbonate, and sodium carbonate.

Example No. fZ-Ground vegetable ivory, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and glycerine.

Example No. 3-Ground vegetable ivory, sodium carbonate, and glycerine solution in water.

My invention consists in vegetable ivory used alone, or in mixtures with other organic or inorganic materials, powdered, liquid, or solid for forming powdered, solid, or liquid cleansers and powdered, solid, liquid, or pasty soaps.

VVh at I claim is:

1. A cleansing composition comprising vegetable ivory mixed with an alkaline car bonate.

2. A cleansing compound comprising vegctable ivory, calcium carbonate and sodium carbonate.

3. A. cleansing compound comprising vegetable ivory, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and glycerine.

4:- A cleansing compound comprising vegetable ivory, sodium carbonate and glycerine solution in water.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature ROBERT SCI-[LESS 

